What motivates you? Is it some particular activity you enjoy? Is it a particular purpose? All of us have motives that drive us, but I wonder how many of us have examined our own motives or the motives of others.

Let me give you an example. There is a religious group that continually condemns racism. On the exterior that looks positive. However, because the group is predominately of one minority, the motive of that condemnation is to get more members and to keep the members it already has. In fact, in that particular religious group the leadership has condemned other ethnic groups in a kind of reverse racism. Motives are not always easy to discern.

What is important is to try to keep our own motives and purposes pure. Only with God’s help, the Bible and the Holy Spirit can we begin to face our own flaws and overcome them. Motives matter because God judges the heart and why we do what we do not just outward performance.